“Always smiling, she was very popular, not only with students in her own year but throughout the school.

“A talented athlete, she won gold medals in all her chosen events on sports day.

“She was extremely hard working and was expected to achieve excellent grades in her exams.

“Natala was a real asset to our school and will be greatly missed.”

Hundreds of people have now visited a Facebook site dedicated to Natala over the weekend.

One tribute read: “RIP Natala, you didn't deserve this – you had such an amazing life ahead of you.

“You will never ever be forgotten and your memory will live on.”

A floral tribute has now appeared outside the Kowalska family’s home in Banks, where Natala lived with her parents.

Specially trained officers are currently supporting Natala’s Polish family, and Meols Cop school confirmed they have brought in counsellors to help support their students after the death of such a popular pupil.

Natala’s body, which was found in a wood on the Preston bound side of the dual carriageway, was first spotted by a member of the public on Thursday morning, who alerted the police.

Lancashire Constabulary soon cordoned off the cycle path that ran past the spot where the body was.

A Visiter reporter approached the scene at 2.30pm, although officers declined to comment on the incident at the time.

The Visiter understands that bullying was not a factor that may have contributed toward the tragedy.

Lancashire Constabulary has now opened an investigation in to the death and referred the case to a coroner.